Option A-A SAHM who live 1 block away from me. The care would be in her home. She will have a 8 month old and a 3 year old. She is a Elementary Teacher on leave. She will return to work in August, most likely. She is kind person and willing to treat our children the way we parent, i.e. no time outs, but she does do time outs with her son. She is reading "How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids will talk" as I have asked her to so she has an idea on how we handle conflict, ect. I have also given her punished by rewards. She seems very open to our parenting style. One of the drawback would be that my toddler would have to take his nap at her home. He nurses to sleep now but may nap for her, but not really sure. She is planning a structured day with activites that include art and free play. We really aren't into structure. She expects children to play with one toy and then return before getting another. My children sometimes have on going play with a toy for days. I just asked that once my children are done playing with a toy it is put away. She does have a gun in her home. Locked up in a safe, but this does bother me. I do know that the SAHM needs this job to stay home with her own kids, which leads me to believe she will be uber reliable.
Option B-A Nanny that responded to a craigslist ad. She is sooooooo nice and engaged my children right away. She has tons of experience. Her cost per hour will be the same as the SAHM. Her references are super and she will be taking a drug test and have a backround check done in the next week. I am paying for both. She has nannied for another AP family so understands want I want from her. She had all the right answers. She would come to my home. I could nurse my toddler to sleep for nap and then head to school. No need to wake or transfer to another persons home. I would not have to pack snacks/drinks. I could also use her for date nights or other school functions, not so for the SAHM. She is willing to stay with us for the next 2 years bearing all stays the same for her. I got a really good feeling from her and I think my kids would have a blast with her as she is sporty and would give them the playtime needed. This would be her sole income, so she is likely to be dependable. But I do not know her from Adam. She is stranger to me and my kids.
WWYD? Who would you pick. I am happy I have 2 great people to choose from but need to pick some asap.
Option B-A Nanny that responded to a craigslist ad. She is sooooooo nice and engaged my children right away. She has tons of experience. Her cost per hour will be the same as the SAHM. Her references are super and she will be taking a drug test and have a backround check done in the next week. I am paying for both. She has nannied for another AP family so understands want I want from her. She had all the right answers. She would come to my home. I could nurse my toddler to sleep for nap and then head to school. No need to wake or transfer to another persons home. I would not have to pack snacks/drinks. I could also use her for date nights or other school functions, not so for the SAHM. She is willing to stay with us for the next 2 years bearing all stays the same for her. I got a really good feeling from her and I think my kids would have a blast with her as she is sporty and would give them the playtime needed. This would be her sole income, so she is likely to be dependable. But I do not know her from Adam. She is stranger to me and my kids.
WWYD? Who would you pick. I am happy I have 2 great people to choose from but need to pick some asap.
) Primary reason is that she's available for at least 2 years, not just this school year. What if you go with SAHM down the block, and then you can't find a nanny as great as this one in August?
And, if she's able to sit for you on date nights and during school functions, so much the better! 
